While interning at McKinsey, my manager told me to complete some data analysis but I was blocked by the client sending me the data set.
I emailed them on Monday and they didn’t answer. I emailed again on Tuesday and again no response. I followed-up once more on Wednesday and again they didn’t reply.
My manager asked on the status of the analysis and I told him that I was blocked on the client - feeling like I had done everything I could on my end.
My manager was not impressed - he told me to find out where there desk was (we were working at the client site which has ~400 employees) and go sit by their desk until they send you the data. It took me about half an hour to find out where they were (I literally had to ask random other employees if they knew my contact) until finally I found their desk.
The client was not there so I waited 30 minutes until they arrived, and made sure they sent me the data on the spot.
It might be a bit of an extreme example but I think it makes the point well. After following up 3x I felt as though I had done my part and ‘passed off’ responsibility onto the client.
The lesson: don’t let a ‘blocker’ become an excuse. Find a way to unblock yourself by any means necessary.